Our Daughter's Birthday Cards.

Well another fortnight has slipped away since I was last in touch, but here we are again!

We had a lovely trip down South, seeing our two families, also our Church friends at Balclutha, on Sunday, but I must admit it was a bit rushed. Anyway we're back home and I'm doing my level best to get back into routine.

Two of our lovely daughter's have had birthdays lately, both in February so thought today I would share their cards that I have made for them. I'm sure they won't mind - anyway they'll let me know if they do, no doubt, but it will be too late!!

Jo's birthday was first and I have used Kaisercraft's Provincial Collection to make her card. It is a very pretty range with it's greens, greys etc and I do love the brick effect which I have added to the centre of the oval. Another fabulous die from Spellbinders, Oval Regalia, S4-492. It is ever so pretty.
Jo did seem to appreciate the effort I made, if one can call it effort!!

Rachelle's, being a week after Jo's, I made her's using Prima, Butterfly Collection and I do love the wine, pink colours of this one. As you will notice, I again used the Oval Regalia die, ( my favourite at the moment!) and have cut the bottom edge using Spellbinder's A2 Scalloped Borders Die, S5-182. As yet I haven't heard back from Rachelle, to see whether she approves!

Thankfully, we can all breath today, as the weather is so much cooler. The heat has been so draining lately, but I dare say it won't be long and we will be complaining about the cold. One is never satisfied!

That's it today ladies. Trust you are all enjoying what you are engaged in. Artfull Crafts have the camp at Stavely this weekend and it is always fun to be with like minded ladies, sharing ideas, food, fun, and laughter etc.

Until next time, may you know God's blessing,

Betsy  xxx

Two Birthday Cards

Good morning ladies.

Sorry I didn't get a post up last week - you know when one gets to my age, and there is a deviation from the usual and one is out of routine, it seems to upset the equilibrium. Being Waitangi Day last Monday, I spent a lovely time with four of my favourite friends, doing, guess what!? Yes, card making at Jenny's stunning home and a fun day was had by all. Thanks so much girls for letting me be part of a fabulous day.

Now today, I thought I would share a couple of cards which I have made recently, the first being an order for an elderly lady who has reached the wonderful age of 100 years. The second is for my lovely friend Jocelyn and I do hope she doesn't mind me sharing it here.

For Margaret's card I have used Blue Fern Studios papers, it is a 5 1/4" square card and the die is a Marianne Design, LR0152. As you will notice I have also used my sewing machine to sew round the edges and then have distressed them. The centre circle I have put through with an embossing folder. Do hope Margaret enjoys her card and a big congratulations on attaining such a remarkable age.

For Jocelyn's card I have made a Peek-a-Boo card, for which a tutorial can be found on Splitcoaststampers. Just google  the site, then go into the resources section and search for a Peek-a-Boo card. The instructions are very easy to follow. There is also a You Tube, so for those people who like visual, you are covered as well. That's me!!
One of my favourite collections, at the moment, is Couture Creations, Hearts Ease and I have used it for this card. Just love the colours and the vintage feel. For cutting the ovals, the Spellbinders Oval and Scalloped Ovals dies were used. For cutting the leaves I have a Couture Creations Intricutz die, CO724096, Evergreen. After putting it through the Big Shot I then cut it apart. It is so delicate for foliage. The image has been sourced from Photobucket. It is a tricky card to photograph but do hope you get some idea.

We are heading down to see our farm and Dunedin families at the end of the week, so are quite excited about that. Just maybe, I will be out of commission next Monday but will sure catch up the following week.

Happy crafting everyone and may you all be blessed.

Betsy  xxx

Birthday Cards

Good afternoon ladies.

I am rather late today but have been out socializing with a group of lovely friends. As one of our patchwork ladies has recently shifted to a lovely new home in Geraldine, we were invited over to lunch - her home is delightful and the lunch was as well! A great time was had by all.

Today I thought I would share a couple of birthday cards I have made - one for our daughter and the other for a special friend. It is hard to believe that it is 50 years since the arrival of our beautiful baby girl - she was a little stunner and still is. We were besotted with her then, and still are! Special love to our Karena.

The collection I have used for Karena's card is a Couture Creations range called Vintage Rose Garden and the card is called a Shaped Tri Fold Card. I am sure Splitcoaststampers would have a tutorial for it in their resource section. That's my go-to place if I am searching for different shaped cards.The dies that are used are from Kaisercraft, both the circle and the edge die. I love the colours in this collection.

For Patti's card I have used the Secret Garden Collection from Graphic45 and the die is from Spellbinders, called Reflective Moment, S6-011. It is a 5'' X 7" die and a good size for a card, as well as being lovely, as no doubt you will agree.

We have a beautiful day here today, so must go and enjoy it while it lasts.Everything seems to be back to routine normal again now, as all the meetings etc are beginning again this week. It is always so nice to catch up on ones friends again, after the break.

Thanks so much for checking this out, I love hearing from you all, sure makes blogging worthwhile. Trust you are all having a lovely day, happy crafting and many blessings.


Betsy  xxx

Two Birthday Cards

Good morning to all.

This morning I will share a couple of cards that I have made for very good friends, for their birthdays.
I do hope Tina and Ruth don't mind me showcasing them here and I do hope you enjoy viewing them.

This card for Tina is a Double Gate Fold Card. I did enjoy making this as I have just procured a Heidi Swapp Minc Machine which is so much fun  to use. The fronts have been foiled in a lovely teal colour, the borders are cut using Kaisercraft's new border die and the circle is another of Kaisercraft's recent dies. The image is of Pinterest. I was thrilled with it as I hope Tina was!

For Ruth's card I have gone with Kaisercraft's Botanical collection which has some gorgeous greens, navy etc The background paper is navy and white stripped, again I have used Kaisercraft's Border die and the embossing folder is a Couture Creations, Tied Together. Some little pearls were added. I fussy cut the leaves from the papers then added some daisies to match the quote, which I framed using Spellbinders, Decorative Labels 8.

All today Ladies. Trust you are all have a great day, happy crafting and and many blessings.


Betsy  xxx

Graphic 45 Cards

Good morning to all my blog friends.

Today we are having a wet morning here in Geraldine, New Zealand but are so thankful for the moisture, as it has been very dry lately. My lawns are looking much better already, recovering from being brown and burnt up. So all things considered,we will put up with a few dull days and enjoy them.

I love Graphic 45 collections, as I have already indicated, so today I thought I would showcase three that I have made using Mon Amour. Again, thanks to Pinterest, as I did get the ideas for these cards from there.

Graphic 45 never let us down with all their fabulous ranges and again I am smitten!

Tomorrow we are heading back up to Christchurch, to meet up with our families, as we celebrate our oldest daughter Karena's birthday, so we are looking forward to that. It is always lovely to get together, whatever the excuse. It is so hard to believe that all these years have flown by, where to, I just don't know!

Trust everyone is getting back into work mode again and that you have all had a great holiday time.
We certainly have, but it's back into that workroom this morning, as there is plenty calling. My husband says that it has been wonderful having his wife back again, over the holidays!! Dare say it won't be long until he reverses that statement. He has always said that he is going to set up a lonely husbands club, for all the men around in similar situations!! Don't you love him.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and hope you all have a lovely day whatever is before you. May God bless you all as we begin another year.

Betsy  xxx

Two More Provincial Cards

I have just been reminded, by my friend, that it is Monday, why haven't I got a post up!! Just as well someone keeps an eye on me as I had completely forgotten, both that it was Monday and that I hadn't posted. Thanks Lyn.

As I did share two cards last week made with the lovely Provincial Collection from Kaisercraft, and  I  so enjoyed working with this range, I thought I would showcase another couple today. Hope you enjoy viewing them ladies.

A special thank you to Splitcoaststampers for the idea for this card. It is called a Decorative Corner Card and a tutorial can be found on the resource section of their website. It is very easy made, stands beautifully and can be folded down for fitting into an envelope. The papers of course are an added bonus!

Lastly a 5 1/4" square card, again very simply made. The clock is a chipboard from BoBunny which I have coloured using my sepia ink pad. Kaiser flowers complete this one.

We are heading to Christchurch tomorrow to welcome our family home from their overseas trip and are really looking forward to seeing them after about five weeks. They have had a wonderful time by all accounts. Boarded the plane in Germany this morning early so will be en- route now. Isn't it amazing how we can get across the world in such a short time - not that I thought it was too short when travelling home from Spain a few years ago!! Air travel is certainly not my favourite, well, long trips, that is.

Thanks for taking the time to check this out, trust you are all enjoying a lovely day.

Until next week, if my memory doesn't let me down, happy crafting and many blessings,

Betsy xxx

A New Year, 2016

Well ladies, here we are at the beginning of a new year and doesn't one wonder what lies ahead!

I said to the man that stood at the gate of the year,
"Give me light that I may tread safely into the unknown"
And he replied, "Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God,
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."
                             
                                                             Minnie Louise Haskins - 1908

How true that is and I just had to share with you all.

I do trust the holiday season is treating you all well and that you are all having a relaxing holiday. We had a lovely time with two of our families, firstly at the farm and then at Wanaka. What a joy they all are to be with - very busy but oh so happy and we do thank them so much for looking after the OLDS and for giving us such a great time. How we love each and every one of them.

Before Christmas, Liz at Artfull Crafts, gave me a couple of collections, from Kaisercraft, to play with. These are November ranges, Provincial ( which I am showcasing today ) and Sail Away. I have really enjoyed working with Provincial, the colour pallet is lovely. Maybe, on the Artfull Crafts blog, in the near future, I will share the ones I have done with Sail Away. I still have to photograph them.

This is a 5 1/4" square card and I have used the Circle Vines Die, DD547 to cut out the circle. It is one of their just released dies which I rather like. Clocks are part of the collection, so that is a Collectable clock in the centre. the butterfly also being a collectable.

What would I do without my Cherry Lyn Step Card die!! B348. Don't you love these papers? A bit of muslin, a sprayed Kaisercraft flower and the lovely tatting at the base of the card was made for me by a dear elderly lady. Thanks so much Noeline. It really does suit this card.

Thanks for stopping by ladies, happy day whatever you are doing and may you all know God's blessing as we have stepped into this New Year.

Betsy  xxx